Glenohumeral arthritis

Glenohumeral arthritis is also known as shoulder arthritis. It is a progressive type of arthritis that is normally caused by damage to the cartilage surfaces of the shoulder's glenohumeral (ball and socket) joint.

When this cartilage becomes damaged, it can cause the bones within the joint to rub against each other. This in turn can cause stiffness, discomfort or pain.

How common is it?

Glenohumeral arthritis is a common source of pain and disability among older people and is thought to affect as much as 20% of the older population. It can also affect younger people, though this is less common. Arthritis of the shoulder is less common than in many other joints, such as the hips, knees, and hands.

Why does it happen?

Glenohumeral arthritis can be caused by several factors. These include:

• prior shoulder surgery
• a history of trauma
• over-use of the shoulder (involving intense overhead activities such as weightlifting, bowling in cricket or many racket sports)
• inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (a disease where the body's own immune system attacks its joints)
• multifactorial causes and probably a genetic predisposition